Family, friends mark anniversary of teen's disappearance

Associated Press


ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - A group of 50 family, friends and community members gathered to mark the one-year anniversary since a St. Joseph teen disappeared in the company of a convicted felon.

Ashley Martinez, who would now be 16, was last seen leaving the Krug Pool with Christopher Hart, 33, who police say told her he would take her to California. Hart was arrested in September in Olympia, Wash., for a parole violation and was extradited to Jackson County. He has refused to talk about Ashley or her whereabouts.

The girl's mother, Tammy Navinskey, said Wednesday she was still optimistic her daughter was still alive and felt the gathering, featuring pictures, white roses and other personal items was helpful.

"Hopefully this will be a strong enough prayer to get her home," Navinskey said.

St. Joseph Police Sgt. Jill Voltmer said investigators have checked more than 100 tips on Ashley's disappearance but haven't found anything yet.

Among the people attending the candlelight vigil Wednesday was Kelly Jolkowski, founder of Project Jason, an Omaha, Neb.-based nonprofit organization that helps in missing person searches.

"Oftentimes when leads run out, all we have is awareness and hope," Jolkowski said.